— National and Big Eight recap – 1988 — Notre Dame reclaimed its status as one of the nation’s premier college football teams with its first unbeaten season since 1973, going 12-0 to capture its 13th national championship. Led by quarterback Tony Rice, the Irish defeated previously unbeaten West Virginia, 34-21, in the Fiesta Bowl. The Irish Heisman trophy winner from 1987, Tim Brown, had left for the NFL, but Notre Dame remained fully stocked in 1988. Sophomore flanker Ricky Watters and freshman split end Raghib Ismail supplied speed to …